Ruma had not come see me this summer. The visions she gave me seems so far away. I need the King to give me back my rights. I can't take it anymore. – Gellert Grindelwald
The purpose part 34 Duel Seth vs Albus
Chapter 88 (November 1972)
*Unicorn hair, fuck you Zabini.*Mumbled Ruma as she was going in the forbidden forest for the third night in a row.
School started with even more requests than the previous years. At least, this time, her evenings with Snape was even better since they had passed the rest of the summer together. They had not kissed again, Ruma knew where Severus's feelings were, and it was not her. Like she had said to him, Seth had not been in the castle until the previous day of the start of school.
She looked up at the night sky and swore under her breath. It was a full moon, and she never quite knew where Dumbledore had figured a place to put Remus Lupin once a month, although she did hear the howls coming far from the forest. The snow crumbled under her boots, and she shivered from the cold. She waved her wand and mumbled the warming charm, feeling instantly better. She tried to remember where the unicorn glade was for the third time. Seth knew and had told her, but it had been difficult, as if the trees had moved during the day. It also took time for the unicorns to get used to her. She had passed two hours with them the two previous days, giving them apples and carrots, something they absolutely loved.
She walked for another minute and finally stumbled upon them. This time, they gladly went to her as she pulled out fruits from her bag. She took her time, gently caressing their white fur, and took out a brush from her bag too. Maybe some hair would get loose enough without her having to pull any.
*You know, my Patronus is a unicorn too. Say, do you have a name?*Said Ruma quietly.
The unicorn made a neigh and moved her head up and down. Ruma's eyes went wide in surprise.
*Don't tell me you can actually understand what I say to you?*Said Ruma.
The magical creature hit her hoof on the snow several times.
*Oh wow. I wish I would know it, perhaps you could tell my Patronus's name.*Said Ruma.
She continued to brush the mane of the unicorn and went towards it's tail.
*Hey, I'm going to brush your tail, okay? If I pull on some, I'm sorry, don't kick me alright?*Said Ruma.
A simple neigh was answered. She took it as an agreement and proceeded into brushing the tail. No hairs were pulled, and Ruma grunted. She tried again for another minute and felt a resistance that quickly went away. She looked at her brush and smiled happily since two strands of hairs managed to get on her brush.
*Sweet. Thank you so much!*Said Ruma.
She placed the hairs in two distinct phials from her bag, and carefully placed them back in. She stayed in the glade for a short moment, sitting by a tree and observing the magnificent unicorns run around. She must have dozed off for she jerked up, and the unicorn had walked right in front of her. She calmed down her heart and placed her hand on the unicorn's nose.
'Starlight'
She frowned, thinking she had heard something, like a very faint whisper.
*Starlight?*Mumbled Ruma.
The magical creature made a neigh and moved her head up and down.
*Wow. Of course, it had to be a name like that!*Said Ruma as she stood up.
She took out her wand and moved it around her. She was already happy being in the glade.
*Expecto Patronum!*She spelled and a unicorn sprouted out of her wand and ran around them.
It stopped beside Starlight and bowed. Ruma's smile went up her ears.
*Are you Starlight?*Asked Ruma to her Patronus.
The Patronus spun around and went on it's back legs while making a powerful neigh.
'Starlight' The Patronus had echoed Ruma's own voice back at her and disappeared.
*Sweet.*She told herself.
She cast the Tempus charm which showed her '6:07am'. She gasped and hurried back to the castle, but happier than ever. She was not the only one going to the castle, for she saw a stag and a dog with Remus Lupin. She hid behind a tree and looked again. The animals were gone, and it was all four marauders now. She blinked and thought she might be tired.
No.
Of course!
Animals could be in the presence of a were-wolf! The marauders were Animagus! She snickered darkly: she had something to threatened them for if they pissed her off too much again. If they could be Animagus, then she could do it too! She waited for a moment that they go to the castle, then she made her way back too.
*Ruma? Gone in da fores' agai'?*Asked Hagrid behind her.
She gasped and spun around.
*Yeah… I went to see the unicorns, please don't tell anyone!*Pleaded Ruma.
*Hmph, I kno' you are fine, bu' it was a full moon today, and I don' want you to get 'urt*Said Hagrid.
*Right! I won't do it again, Hagrid, I promise.*Said Ruma before hurrying away and Hagrid shaking his head.
Ruma went directly to the library and read more about Animagus and how to become one. She found it… relatively easy to make the potion, or rather the concoction. The problem was the consequences if something went wrong, and thus why it was not common and supervised.
She remembered to give the unicorn hairs to Zabini, so she went to look for him, but not before going to the potion's lab and steal a mandrake leaf. Nobody would notice anyway since the jar of leaves was full. She had filled it up herself a month ago. The problem with the potion would be the lightning storm for it to work. It was almost winter, and she knew the potion would need to wait a few months in the darkness until spring, not that she minded. With the mandrake leaf in her mouth, stuck with a sticking charm, she sighed and went off to find Zabini.
OoOoO
May 1973
Seth eyed Corban beside him as they were sitting in a big office room, visibly enlarged to fit everyone in. It was the national defense reunion, and he had been asked to be there since the French minister was present, an old muggle man called Georges Pompidou. He was of course escorted by none other than François, the French vampire. Brian, the vampire who took care of finances between the ministry and Gringotts was also there. Then came the national director of defense, Wilhelm Graves, who had nothing but venom in his eyes as he had seen Seth. The chief auror, the captain, and several aurors were all present. The room's door closed behind the minister for magic and the secretary. She was looking very stressed, and as if she had not slept for many days.
Coffee and tea was offered, floating around every guests. Cakes, muffins, and cookies laid on the table. Seth looked at the food with disgust. They could have at least brought wine. The director moved his wand around and a map of Britain appeared on the wall behind him. The room door opened again, and Dumbledore made his way in, followed by auror Alastor Maugrey. That one-eyed man had a satisfied smile on his face, until he saw Seth staring at him.
*Ah, Dumbledore, we were waiting for you, please take a seat.*Said the director.
*Yes, I'm still Hogwarts headmaster, sorry for the delay.*Said Dumbledore as he sat across Seth.
Maugrey sat beside the headmaster. The voices all stopped, ready to listen. The director cleared his throat and began talking about the security of the nation. He pointed to a Northern city of London, saying the giants had now been neutralised, and the few that remained were as of now escorted back to France in the mountains.
*Their trajectory back has been secured, calculated, and informed to the least possible people. Our secret is still being kept, but barely. We had to make an exception with Mr. Pompidou today, but he has been acquainted slightly, thanks to François. Muggles… they are starting to notice some things are going wrong, on top of the Vietnam war happening at the same time as our own. Our refusal to help them because we already have problems of our own have angered some countries.*Said the director.
*Fortunately, the Vietnam war is soon at an end. The united states are waiting to withdraw their forces.*Said the French president with a heavy accent.
The director nodded, then proceeded into informing his plans to bring up the security.
*The magical British borders are now under surveillance, and no one has authorization to leave or enter the country without clearance. We can only hope it could slow him, and his forces, down.*Said Graves.
*Will the clearance be every single time for the authorized… ministry personnel? Also, how is it monitored?*Asked Seth.
His question also interested the others. Graves had a hard look and narrowed eyes.
*Yes. Every single time. Apparition from outside borders will be in designated areas only. Everywhere else will trigger a warning in the ministry. It will be monitored by aurors and other trustful ministry workers. Any other way of travel will have aurors and/or artefacts in muggle areas.*Said the director.
*Thank you, director.*Answered Seth coldly.
The minister leaned in to speak.
*I understand this might be troublesome for you, Mr. Vulken, but we will ask you to stay in Britain, and not go in other countries unless the threat becomes international. The other ministries have also been warned.*Said the minister with a sigh.
His eyes left the director to look at the minister, and he shook his head.
*Everything is fine, I perfectly understand, Minister. Please, call me Seth. I'm afraid there are too many Vulkens here, and it could be… confusing. When will this be effective?*Said Seth.
*Next week, after the Daily Prophet has warned the population. We will also place the news everywhere we can.*Said Euphemia.
The director cleared his throat again and began to speak about the current deatheaters they knew the identities of. He turned around and waved his wand again, this time with a list of names. Some names had a line, and others a checkmark. He pointed at the first name.
*Bellatrix Lestrange. Possibly the most dangerous witch. Obviously trained by that dark wizard, she has already succeeded into killing several aurors, and I don't suggest you engage her alone. Next, we can't talk about her without mentioning her husband, Rodolphus, and his brother, Rabastan. There is… Antonin Dolohov…*Began Graves.
He went on to that list, naming also some suspected deatheaters. The checkmarks were for the ones successfully captured, like Igor Karkaroff. Upon mentioning his name, Maugrey smirked, proud of himself. The director sighed and looked around the table.
*We seem to have a new threat, apart from being the werewolves like Fenrir Greyback. Reports of witnesses seeing a man in a red cloak, flying around, and being able to kill at a distance without the use of a wand. Now, it is just speculations. If this threat is real, and one of us see that man, then caution is strongly advised.*Said Graves before looking at Seth. *I have a question for you, Seth. It has been heard there is a vampire with telekinesis powers, is that true?*He asked.
*It is true. Apart from being able to move things around, I do not think it is worth mentioning.*Said Seth.
The prince perfectly knew where this was going. Danyck was obviously guilty, and he had to defend him already. The director narrowed his eyes, and his lip twitched.
*Isn't telekinesis a power in which the user could even move himself around?*Said Graves with intensity.
Seth uncrossed his arms, and leaned in by the table, looking at the others around.
*Am I supposed to understand here, Director, that you are implying that Danyck, because that it is his name, would be behind your speculations?*Said Seth with a sneer.
Graves made a snarl.
*That is exactly what I am implying!*Spat the director.
Dumbledore stood up before the vampires did, but not Seth, who kept a blank face.
*This is outrageous!*Said Brian.
*Preposterous!*Said François.
*You are making grave accusations!*Said Corban.
*You can't make speculations, this is not a courtroom.*Said Dumbledore calmly.
The director stood back, but lifted his chin up, not flinching from the uproar.
*Lûg'l.*Ordered Seth in Venthyr.
Seth's voice was quiet, but the vampires had heard him through the shouts and sat back down.
Dumbledore was still up and made a sigh. Graves pointed at Albus.
*You, among all people, should be the last one to defend those vampires, Dumbledore!*Said the Director.
Seth tilted his head on the side.
*I believe the director has something on his heart. Perhaps he could enlightened us.*Said Seth, joining his hands under his chin.
Dumbledore sat back down and looked at the director curiously.
*My father, Percival Graves, was killed by none other than Gellert Grindelwald! And to make things worse, he even stole his identity!*Hissed Wilhelm.
*Ah. So you blame vampires to have given him something that looks like freedom, while you want revenge for your father?*Said Seth.
This time, the head auror stood up. She took a deep breath before speaking.
*This… is hardly the place to exchange threats. Graves is getting too personal on this matter. Unless you have something else related to the defense of this country to add, we shall end this reunion.*Said Marcy Macduff, the head auror.
The auror captain, Rufus Scrimgeour, hit the table with his fist, and startled the others around.
*Why aren't vampires helping us fighting them? They can see and hear things we cannot, and have relations where we don't have any!*Said Rufus with a strong roaring voice.
*The very same reason Goblins are not fighting for you. We are neutral. Let me remind you, Mr. Scrimgeour, that my father finances half of your aurors salary and formation.*Said Seth with a satisfied smirk. *And if that doesn't at least show that we support the security of this country, then I don't know what will.*He continued.
*What if you were also financing them scum deatheaters?*Said Maugrey.
It was the first time he spoke during the reunion. Even if he was right, in which he was renowned for his theories to always be right, Seth had a laugh. The prince stared at the Maugrey man with a glimmer in his eyes.
*Wouldn't that be counterproductive, Mr. Maugrey?*Said Seth.
*Thank you, Seth, Alastor. Let's adjourn this reunion. We have lots to do and details to give to the Daily Prophet. I will not tolerate hostility within the few alliances we can make.*Said the minister.
They all stood up. Some shook hands before leaving, others a nod, then they apparated away.
*Seth. A word, please?*Asked Dumbledore.
Seth nodded at Corban who had looked at him questionably, before taking the other vampires and the muggle French president away by apparating. They were now alone in the room. Albus took a sip of the hot tea in front of him and frowned.
*Bizarre tasting tea… Do you want to speak in a more private room?*Asked the headmaster as he placed down the cup on the table.
*Get to the point, Mr. Dumbledore.*Said Seth, annoyed.
Dumbledore took out his wand and pointed it at Seth. The prince did not move, but was immediately on his guard, staring at him, trying to sense an upcoming spell to avoid. Dumbledore shook his head.
*What is the meaning of this?*Said Seth, alarmed.
*I'm not going to attack you Mr. Vulken. Do you know what this wand is?*Asked Dumbledore.
The headmaster was not pointing his wand, he had been presenting it with his palm up. Seth fidgeted. Of course, he knew that this was the elder wand, Gellert had told him, and he had asked Garrick to make a wand with the same materials.
*Why are you asking me this? You want me to tell you that this is the Elder wand? That you ripped Gellert from it?*Said Seth.
*So, you know.*Said Dumbledore, lowering his wand. *Tell me, what is the wand you gave Gellert? Isn't it exactly the same?*He asked.
*What do you want, Dumbledore?*Hissed Seth, his wand hand twitching and ready to get his wand. Screw this stupid façade.
*I want to make a proposition.*Said Dumbledore.
Seth stayed silent, his body tensing up. Seeing the Prince was not answering, the Headmaster took a deep breath.
*I want to duel you. If I win, you will no longer be neutral and help us fight Tom.*Said Dumbledore with a serious face.
*He knows.*Thought Corban and Danyck at the same time.
Indeed.
Dumbledore knew he was still a wizard. And he wanted to duel. A duel with Albus Dumbledore. No matter how good he was, Albus could never fight against the speed of a vampire, let alone fight with the vampire prince. An evil smile went on Seth's lips.
*But I don't want that stupid wand of yours, Albus. I am perfectly fine with my own Thestral hair one.*Said Seth quietly, his wand moving into his hand, palm up.
Seth knew he would win this duel, and, in that circumstance, he would inherit the Elder wand. He heard Albus's heart accelerating and could smell a spark of fear.
*You knew, yet you still weren't sure and you realise how dangerous I really am, don't you?*Said Seth.
*Yes, but my proposition still holds.*Said Dumbledore.
Seth made a dark, low laugh. He ran behind him and gripped his shoulders before apparating away.
OoOoO
Dumbledore fell down on all fours, feeling wet grass on his hands. He heard the sound of waves and seagulls above his head. His fear doubled as the memories of the duel he had with Gellert and Aberforth came to mind. It had been in the same scenery he had battled where his sister died. He stood back up and looked around him. On his left and behind him was a beach and an endless ocean. On his right up above a cliff was a giant castle. In front of him was Seth with open arms.
*Welcome to my island.*Said Seth.
The wind made their hair move softly as they stared at each other. Dumbledore held his wand firmly, the magic vibrating in it, asking to lash out at his opponent. Seth turned his own between his fingers, warm in his palm. He made a smile again and bowed low at the Headmaster, without breaking eye contact. Albus hesitated for half a second before bowing at his turn. Seth's smile went wider before they rose up and turned, counting ten steps away.
When Seth turned, he cast a quick silent disarming spell, which Albus blocked easily retaliating with the same spell, only to be blocked by Seth too. A small snicker parted his lips before making a loop with his wand and casting the disintegrate curse followed by a cutting hex, and a tripping charm. The three spells crashed in succession on a shielding charm from Albus. Seth swirled his wand above his head as Dumbledore recovered and brought the ocean water like a blanket above him.
He never left Albus a chance to come at back at him, relentlessly casting spells and curses one after the other. He managed to block and avoid all of them, but only made Seth glee at fighting someone, let alone capable of blocking everything. He saw sweat pearl at Dumbledore's forehead, but his expression changed, and also his determination. The Headmaster's magic flared up and he began to cast fast silent curses at Seth who blocked it and moved away. Albus blasted fire spells in wide arcs, deflected by water barriers.
They moved so much by apparition that soon enough they were now beside the castle where a cargo plane was stationed on a long way of asphalt. They had stopped bringing merchandise by boat once Galea and Steven learned to fly a plane. This made Dumbledore so surprised, he barely had time to stop a stinging curse from his side.
*Did you forget muggles lived here, Dumbledore?*Said Seth before shooting another curse.
Albus moved aside and shot a black wave towards Seth, who did not recognize it and apparated behind Albus to avoid it. The black wave faded, but left no grass on the ground, as if it had disappeared into nothingness. Seth felt black magic in the air, and he shuddered with pleasure.
*Ooh, Dumbledore is getting serious.*Said Seth maliciously. *Regeortus Strium.*He spelled away, moving his wand to the ground where ice covered the entirety of a fifty meters radius.
The air became so cold, their breaths could be seen like clouds fading away.
*Increiatis Tyrindo.*Spelled Dumbledore, doing a slashing move with his wand.
Lightning sparks blasted in arcing beams through the air, destroying ice and lifting dirt as the sparks went at Seth at a staggering speed. He jumped out of the way and laughed. Seth understood why Dumbledore was seen as the greatest wizard ever lived. Not only because he defeated Grindelwald, but because he used magic like he had never seen before. How he wished to have seen the battle between these two. Everything seemed so slow and dull, no matter how hard Albus tried.
Albus apparated behind Seth and cast a cutting hex which hit Seth's right shoulder, ripping off his shirt and showing his bright purple star-shaped mark.
*Ouch.*Said Seth with a sarcastic voice.
Dumbledore seemed taken aback seeing the mark. One of his cutting curses also had hit Seth's tail, which removed the disillusion charm on it.
*Oh, now you've done it.*Said Seth harshly.
Seth flicked his wand and a huge mound of dirt separated from the ground. He joined the dirt with a Bombarda curse, setting it on fire and blasted it at Albus. The old wizard quickly moved his wand which pulverized the mound in thinner particles, but it was too heavy and hot, making Albus fall down.
*Get up, old man.*Said Seth.
Albus stood back up quickly and cast again several silent curses before apparating behind Seth again. The prince simply apparated behind where Albus did, but the Headmaster did it again, and Seth followed suite. A laugh echoed in the air and Seth ran, using his vampiric speed, as Dumbledore appeared one last time, and he knocked Albus's wand away before gripping his arms with his and pulling on his hair, exposing his neck.
*You never stood a single chance against me, Dumbledore. I told you I never needed magic, but in your head, you thought this… changed anything.*Whispered Seth in his ear.
Albus desperately tried to get out of his grip. Seth felt wandless magic being poured out of Dumbledore's body crashing against his own, like a battle of will. Seth unleashed his magic, his eyes going black as coal. It came in waves, mixing with his vampiric powers and strength, reducing Albus's magic to nothing. Seth's heart was beating hard in his chest, resonating in his ears, and the locket around his neck pulsed, whispering dark thoughts.
*Devour…*It hissed.
Danyck's and Corban's thoughts mixed with the locket's whispers, only approving it's will. Seth did not resist; he made a low growl before sinking his teeth in the old wizard. The powerful blood poured in Seth's body, and every nerve under his skin screamed in joy. Never had he tasted something that powerful, even Voldemort's blood could not compare. The force he used to hold Albus went higher, and the Headmaster let out a yell of pain. He could feel the old wizard's life force fading away as time passed, but somewhere in his mind he knew he should not kill him, not like this. He pushed Albus who fell on the grass, blood still dripping from his chin.
*To say Tom is afraid of you. That's pathetic.*Mumbled Seth.
Magic flowed from his body like electric connections and was passing through his fingers. He knew if he wanted, he could have done wandless magic as easily as having a wand. Dumbledore grunted and stood up with difficulty. Seth took the Elder wand from the ground and walked to the old man, placing the wand in his hand. Seth's eyes went back to their icy blue.
*Why don't you kill me?*Breathed Albus, barely standing.
*Heh, was it a duel to the death, Albus? For what I understood, you dueled me for a reason, and failed.*Said Seth with a snarl.
*Why are you letting Tom take control of Britain? He will never stop until everyone is at his feet, even you and no matter in what way.*Said Albus.
Seth looked down for a second, before looking at him again.
*Why did you let Gellert take control of the wizarding world?*Retorted the Prince.
Dumbledore lightly shook his head.
*Please…*Said Dumbledore.
The word resonated in Seth's ears. He would not accept begging from him. He pointed his wand again at the Headmaster.
*Don't you dare BEG ME, Locomotor Momentum!*Hissed Seth in Parseltongue.
His own created spell hit Dumbledore in the chest and made him apparate away, out of his island. He waved his wand once more, removing the ice and damage they had done. He then took a deep breath before going to the castle.
Venthyr meaning.
Lûg'l means Sit.
